The 18-inch-tall palaenopsis orchids so prevalent in garden centers and grocery stores, have set in our minds a kind of standard size for indoor orchids so it may come as a bit of a surprise that there are a whole host of orchid genera that feature petite species. Meet four epiphytic selections, two for indoors and two that can handle our mild winters.

Outdoor selections

Hailing from the cloud forests of Papua New Guinea, Dendrobium cuthbertsonii is ideally suited for our cool coastal Bay Area climate. The flowers range from orange to red, pink or white and include several bicolor varieties. The plants rarely are taller than 2 inches, with flowers the size of a quarter. So, what's the big deal? Each flower can stay in bloom for up to six months. It is not unusual to have a specimen in perpetual bloom throughout the year. While this species can be notoriously finicky to grow, it gives back a nearly endless show.

Cattleya coccinea, also known as Sophronitis coccinea, is a striking species from Brazil with surprisingly large scarlet-red flowers (to 2-plus inches) on a plant that tops out at a mere 3 inches. This boldness is accentuated by a dark purple stripe bisecting its leaf. It is an intermediate to cool growing orchid that can be grown outdoors in the milder zones of the Bay Area. This species has been employed extensively in hybridizing, with virtually every red-colored Cattleya hybrid having some Sophronitis coccinea in its heritage. This orchid blooms in the late winter and early spring, with flowers that last for up to a month.

Indoor selections

Epidendrum porpax is a low-growing species from Colombia and Venezuela that is easy to grow indoors in a wide range of temperatures (50 to 85 degrees). The plants exhibit a mat-like growth, with small fleshy leaves packed along 3-inch stems. The often cascading stems are each topped by a single, waxy green flower 3/4 to 1 inch in size. The flowers feature a large deep burgundy lip resembling a shiny beetle. Epidendrum porpax blooms in the late spring, and even a small plant can be smothered with flowers lasting for up to six weeks. Plants can be grown in pots or be mounted on cork or a piece of wood. Mature specimens will quite often completely engulf the pot or cork mount.

Angraecum didieri is a beautiful species from Madagascar with large (2-inch), pure-white flowers that seem to dwarf the 3-inch plants. The eye-catching, star-shaped petals are offset by rounded, elongated lips, featuring a sweet evening fragrance. The plants prefer bright filtered light and are perfect for an indoor windowsill. Angraecum didieri has thick leaves and roots that are designed to withstand brief periods of dryness and grow best in large bark or mounted on cork. They will bloom at various times throughout the year, with flowers typically lasting three weeks.

Cultivation

Each of these orchids like bright, indirect light, whether indoors or out. Angraecum didieri and Epidendrum porpax are best grown in orchid bark if in a container. Alternately, they can be mounted on cork or wood in the way traditional to epiphytic orchids. Water weekly and use a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season. When budding up or in bloom, switch to a bloom fertilizer and feed every second watering. Dendrobium cuthbertsonii and Sophronitis cuthbertsonii prefer to be planted in New Zealand sphagnum moss and should be kept moist at all times. They like very pure water and should be fertilized every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer at 1/4 strength.

Pacific Orchid Exposition

Thursday-next Sunday at Fort Mason Center's Festival Pavilion in San Francisco. The event opens with a gala benefit preview night and continues with displays and booths with orchids for sale. A variety of tickets options are available. For more information, go to www.orchidsanfrancisco.org.